I studied Economics at the University of Exeter. I always liked maths and knew I wanted to pursue a career in finance. I was an economics tutor for first-year students in my free time. In my final year, I began teaching, solidifying my economics knowledge and building my confidence to lead a class of up to 20 students.
After/During University, I pursued internships in the investment banking sector. However, I didn’t enjoy the work-life balance and overly competitive environment. I prefer the supportive environment I found in the graduate programme at Smiths. I feel more valued as an employee, which has allowed me to gain significant experience in finance through shadowing and learning from several senior professionals in the business.
The graduate programme allowed me to rotate through finance departments in different divisions without sacrificing my values and time with those most important to me: family and friends.
Smiths allowed me to travel the world. I lived in Lutin in the Czech Republic while working for the John Crane division. My time there taught me a lot about Czech culture, from traditions to popular sports and food!
I also worked towards my ACCA professional accounting qualification. Completing this was a pivotal moment in my career. I won an ACCA affiliate prize and was awarded a bronze medal for achieving the third-highest mark worldwide in my exams! The supportive environment at Smiths allowed me to take days off to manage my studies comfortably, leading to worldwide recognition for my hard work.
My main advice to graduates is to find a good work-life balance to avoid burnout. Explore all your different opportunities in the finance world to discover what you enjoy doing, and always ask plenty of questions!
